Recreating Inside the NCA

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area has myriad recreational opportunities. It encompasses two wilderness areas, the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, the Red Cliffs Campground, over a hundred miles of non-motorized trails, as well as heritiage public use sites.

Despite its location on the urban interface, the NCA lands are rugged and provide few amenities. Many visitors have underestimated this desert environment making errors in estimated travel times, water needs, and various other factors that affect their safety and well-being. Always take the time to adequately prepare for your outing.

Currently, recreation inside the NCA follows the use management strategies and prescriptions as set forth in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Public Use Plan (except for those activities that fall under BLM national policy). A new Resource Management Plan for the 45,000 acres of public lands within the NCA is underway. For more information about the planning process click here.

Upland and Lowland Zones

Recreation uses are guided by the biological sensitivity, ecological durability, and resiliency of the habitats found within the NCA. Generally, the area described as the Upland Zone is less biologically sensitive and more ecologically durable, whereas the Lowland Zone is more biologically sensitive and less durable. Consequently, the Upland Zone has fewer recreation use restrictions and offers the greatest freedom for recreational users. Conversely, the Lowland Zone has many recreation use restrictions in order to protect sensitive species and their habitats. The recreation uses prescribed below are intended to balance resource protection with recreational access.